KATHMANDU, Nepal - An aircraft taking tourists on a sightseeing trip crashed into a hillside near the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on Sunday, killing all 19 people on board.

The Buddha Air Beechcraft plane, carrying 10 Indians, two US citizens, one Japanese and three local passengers, came down in heavy rain and fog at Godavari, around 10 kilometers from Kathmandu.

The three Nepalese crew also died in the accident as the plane smashed into wooded slopes, leaving the fuselage broken into several pieces.

"All 19 people have died. The Buddha Air-103 was returning from a mountain flight when it crashed into Kotdada Hill," said Bimlesh Lal Karna, head of the rescue department at Tribhuwan International Airport.

Police spokesman Binod Singh said one person had initially survived the crash but had died in hospital.

"The rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy rain," he added.

Airport authorities lost contact with the plane at 7:30 am and it crashed minutes later.

"When we reached the crash site, we found the dead bodies scattered within 25 meters of the site which is surrounded by trees," said Dip Shamsher Rana, a police officer who took part in the rescue.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 09/26/2011 page11)